Monday, March 11, 2013

Falklands referendum: Voters choose to remain UK territory

The people of the Falkland Islands have voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory.

Of 1,517 votes cast in the two-day referendum, 1,513 were in
favour of keeping the current status, while just three votes were
against.[Yes, emphasis mine!]

There was a turnout of more than 90% from 1,672 British citizens eligible to vote in a population of about 2,900.

It follows pressure from Argentina over its claims to the islands, more than 30 years after the Falklands War.Dick Sawle, a member of the island's legislative assembly,
said it was an "absolutely phenomenal result which will send out the
strongest possible message to the rest of the world about our right to
self-determination - a right that was fought for in 1982, and which we
have honoured tonight."...

Yes, there is more - and other interesting links to videos - here. Take THAT, Argentina....

I have written about the British Falkland Islands many times here, here, and here (for starters. ) Two hundred and fifty five British Servicemen gave their lives in 1982 to defend British sovereignty.

Falkland islanders vote in referendum on sovereignty

Residents of the Falkland Islands are voting in
a sovereignty referendum aimed at countering Argentina's increasingly
assertive claim over the British-ruled territory.

Diplomatic tension between Britain and Argentina has flared up more
than three decades since they went to war over the South Atlantic
archipelago.

There are around 2,500 residents living on the Falkland Islands.

They will cast ballots in the two-day referendum in which they will
be asked whether they want to stay a British Overseas Territory.

Officials are expected to announce the result tomorrow night.

A near-unanimous Yes vote is likely, prompting Argentina to dismiss the referendum as a meaningless publicity stunt.

A high turnout is expected, however, as islanders embrace it as a chance to make their voices heard."We
hope the undecideds, or the uninformeds, or those countries that might
otherwise be prepared to give the nod to Argentina's sovereignty claim
might have pause for thought after the referendum," said John Fowler,
deputy editor of the islands' weekly newspaper, the Penguin News....